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| Only Fools and Horses tribute at Ray Butt's funeral | Only Fools and Horses tribute at Ray Butt's funeral |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Actors from Only Fools and Horses have paid tribute to the show's original producer Ray Butt, whose funeral has taken place in Suffolk. | Actors from Only Fools and Horses have paid tribute to the show's original producer Ray Butt, whose funeral has taken place in Suffolk. |
| Butt, who developed the hit television show alongside writer John Sullivan, died on 12 July, aged 78. | Butt, who developed the hit television show alongside writer John Sullivan, died on 12 July, aged 78. |
| Speaking at his funeral in Ashbocking, John Challis, who played Boycie, said Butt was instrumental in getting the show on air in 1981. | Speaking at his funeral in Ashbocking, John Challis, who played Boycie, said Butt was instrumental in getting the show on air in 1981. |
| "Here we are 32 years later and it's still on. It's all because of him." | "Here we are 32 years later and it's still on. It's all because of him." |
| Butt is credited with casting Sir David Jason as Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter, who along with his brother Rodney came up with numerous money-making schemes during the show's seven series. | |
| Sir David, who could not attend the funeral, wrote to Butt's partner Jo Blyth. | Sir David, who could not attend the funeral, wrote to Butt's partner Jo Blyth. |
| "What a sad blow it was to read of Ray's passing," Sir David wrote. "He was such a great character and one I shall never forget." | "What a sad blow it was to read of Ray's passing," Sir David wrote. "He was such a great character and one I shall never forget." |
| Butt also directed episodes of Are You Being Served?, Last of the Summer Wine and Citizen Smith. | Butt also directed episodes of Are You Being Served?, Last of the Summer Wine and Citizen Smith. |
| Gareth Gwenlan, former head of BBC comedy, said: "It is a mark of a man and the affection in which he is held that we are all here today to honour his memory and offer a final salute to a gifted director and a unique character. | Gareth Gwenlan, former head of BBC comedy, said: "It is a mark of a man and the affection in which he is held that we are all here today to honour his memory and offer a final salute to a gifted director and a unique character. |
| "If he is looking down on us he's probably thinking, blimey haven't they got anything better to do on a Monday?" | "If he is looking down on us he's probably thinking, blimey haven't they got anything better to do on a Monday?" |